Chicago area law enforcement

[Braden]

I am from Chicago. I was hoping to get some information about the Chicago police department in particular. I would also appreciate info about the Cook county sheriff's dept. and suburban county or municipal agencies. I have been to a lot of websites and talked to recruiters and information officers, but i would like to hear honest opinions, good or bad. Thanx for any help.

[scootsmo]

I work for the CPD so if u have any questions feel free to ask.

[Braden]

I have been told that morale is extremely low at the department. I have always wanted to become a CPD officer, but I have been advised by a seargent in 023 district that if he was to start over again knowing what he knows now, he would have chosen a suburban department. I was just wondering if he was a disgruntled employee or if there actually are a lot of very unhappy officers in the department.

[lnichols]

I'm in the process right now with chicago, i'm waiting for my back ground to start.

[Braden]

this is in reply to lnichols. I know that the CPD requires you to have a residency within the city limits, but I have had an officer tell me that this rule should be changed because of lack of affordable housing in the city. I was just wondering what your opinion of this is.

[Finder]

I am with the Cook County Sheriff's Dept. of Corrections. I don't know if this type of L.E. would interest you or not but I think the Dept. will be giving out applications sometime in November. The starting pay nowadays is 37k and about to go up.

[Braden]

It normally would interest me, but i have a year and a half of college left. I want to finish that before I start a career. do they hire once a year, or is it once every few years?

[Finder]

Applications are given out only once a year. They are always hiring off the eligibility list. To get on the list you have to pass the written exam, background check and physical agility test. Since the applications are only given out once a year, the lines to get one are huge but if you are interested stick it out because I find it to be a great job.

[Braden]

How big is the Department?

[Finder]

the Cook County Sheriff's Dept is huge. The correctional division is the biggest on site jail in the country I believe. Meaning the jail is not scattered about the county. Benefits are good but like I said Corrections is not for everyone. You receive all the necessary Peace Officer training short of motor vehicle. Nothing quite fully prepares you for the Jail. Especially the Max divisions. Most Jailing skills are learned on the job.

[scootsmo]

Braden, I don't know what these officers are talking about when they tell you these things. I believe that the morale in the department is fine. The sergeant might be a little upset because he works in 023 where nothing happens. The residency rule has always been around and will not be changed. The FOP is trying to get a residency check to officers in the new contract to help with high costs of living. If you have always wanted to work for the CPD, don't let a couple of disgruntled officers change your mind. I love it and I think you would hear the same from a lot of the officers.

[Braden]

scootsmo, that is exactly what i wanted to hear. I was hoping that most officers were not as digruntled as the 2 i have contact with. it's just that the recruiting officers tell you nothing but how great the department is, and then the other two officers have nothing good to say. I didn't really know who to believe. Finder, my number one choice will always be CPD, but I will keep my options open. thanx

[Finder]

CPD is always a great choice. Most of my pals are CPD and love what they do. Good luck to you.

[lnichols]

It's a long process i had my written test in January, physical fitness in april, drug screening in may, shrink tests in may, shrink interview and medical in august. I've only had contact with the cpd officers from recruiting but I've been nothing but pleased with my contacts with them, very proffesional, i've never heard a bad thing about cpd except it takes along time.

[Braden]

From what i understand, all departments take a long time, and keep you in the dark about your status, so I wouldn't think CPD would be any exception. Also, your location says you are from Minnesota, so how did you become interested in CPD? just wondering